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Fixated on one Pokemon in particular—the toddling land whale—Lydia had neglected to explore the rest of the catalog. So, she was surprised when the spirit of Yuletide burst from a bush. For a moment, the two stared at each other. The Iron Valiant, meanwhile, brandished its spear threateningly. [break][break]

A gentle prod from Lydia made the weapon lower. [break][break]

Blue eyes widened slightly as a hand curled at her chest. The gesture highlighted the whipcord muscles throughout the veteran’s slight form. The normally serious countenance crumbled. She was a girl after all, even if her life made her act otherwise. Oh, Arceus! It’s so cute. With a soft smile, the blonde crouched to approach the Delibird. “A warm Yuletide to you friend.” An old tale came to mind—about Delibird and gift giving. Her father said there was no greater generator of luck than to give to the Santa bird.[break][break]

And, in all honesty, she could use all the luck she could get. “I have something for you.” She offered a small block of bait.[break][break]


The Delibird chirped at her as it gobbled down the treat. It then pulled a little box from its bag. With a surprising amount of deference, she took the strangely wrapped little parcel. “Thank you, kind spirit.” When she stood, she was surprised to feel a tug at the back of her shirt. A flipper tapped the ball at her waist.[break][break]

It tilted its head. “It would be nice to let you spread some cheer, non?” With a click, she laid the ball in front of the bird. In a burst of red light, he vanished. Another member of her growing band.

NOTES
Catching Delibird

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With a Delibird accompanying her, Lydia could not help but feel some holiday cheer. The little present—just a few pinecones—was tucked lovingly into her backpack. They would look lovely next to her candles and nature displays. A few moments of walking brought her and her Iron Valiant to a small creek. Ice clung to its edges like Jack Frost’s attempt at a miniature bridge. [break][break]

The blonde stepped toward the banks. For a moment, she stared at herself in the crystal clear waters, her face inscrutable. I sometimes wonder if I have aged at all.[break][break]

Her Iron Valiant did the same. Its LED eyes are emotionless. After a moment, its head tilts. Lifting its spear, the steel type slashes across the water. Just like that, silent contemplation is shattered. Spooked by the noise, a Staryu darts away from them. Its metallic body glistens like a Christmas tree topper in the sun.[break][break]

“Let's go.” With a final, confused, glance at the water, the fairy-and-fighting type follows its much smaller trainer.


NOTES
[break]Skipping

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Eventually, the open ground near the creek begins to thin. Soon, saplings and thick tree cover take their place. As they duck into the foliage, she feels her Iron Valiant stiffen. “Beep! Brzzzzp!” Occasionally, a mechanical noise emerges from the area of its mouth. In this shadowed area, the fairy-type’s paranoia becomes more pronounced. “Be at ease,” Lydia murmurs to him as they dodge around a rotten log. “Nothing here will harm you.” It does not flinch when she lays a hand upon its arm. “Just have faith in our Father.” [break][break]


With a resolute nod, the android continues through the forest. As they round a corner, its eyes catch on the hanging form of a Burmy. Though its grip tightens on the shaft of its weapon, it does not attack. Instead, it merely nods in greeting. Lydia hides a small smile beneath her scarf. “A good day to you.” With that perfunctory gesture complete, they push deeper into the safari zone itself.
[break][break]

A compass emerges from the downy pocket of her jacket. After adjusting her heading slightly, the woman continues due north.



NOTES
[break]Skipping

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The blonde’s radar went off just seconds before something white and powdery hit the tree beside her head. [break][break]

A hand lifted defensively as the ice sprayed across her field of view. With a glower, she turned to face the snowball’s thrower. A little grinning Darumaka stared up at her. What a disrespectful little ingrate. A shake of her head removed the excess powder. “Monsieur--!” Before she could finish, another projectile was thrown.[break][break]


SCHINK! The Iron Valiant’s blade sliced through the snowball like a heated knife. By the end of its arc, it was nothing more than a drip on the tip of the blade. Its LED panels darkened as it took a few steps forward. Pink liquid shifted green as the fairy-type prepared a Leaf Blade.”Maka!” The little ice type dropped its next ball to the floor. Its hands lifted in a sign of peace. “....bzzzzt.” The Iron Valiant tilted its head before charging forward.[break][break]


With a squeak, the ice type vanished into the shrubbery. "Leave it." With a look of confusion ("?....?), the Paradox Pokemon complied.

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In the middle of shaking the last of the snow from her jacket, Lydia’s eyes caught on movement in the underbrush. It was just a strangely shaped shard of white. One that looked like a fin. An uncharacteristic smile spread across her face as the veteran pushed into the next glade over. [break][break] There—looking cute as a button—sat a Cetoddle. Its little eyes and toes instantly endeared her to it. This is truly proof that Arceus is divine.[break][break]

With slow, methodical steps, she approached the land whale. From her pocket, she pulled out a handful of berries. These she spread on the ground in front of the baby. It chirped curiously at her and the sentinel poised behind her. Eventually, it began to eat. Suddenly awkward, Lydia just sat and enjoyed its company for a moment.[break][break]

A leftward glance the artificial nature of this place came flooding back. Just beyond the nearest tree line, she could see the fence and dome that comprised the place.[break][break]

Where had this creature come from? Did it know its family? Would it ever experience the camaraderie of a herd?[break][break]

Suddenly, the noblewoman’s heart twisted. Her support of this place suddenly seemed ill-advised. Lowering herself from a rock to the forest floor, she posed a question to the Cetoddle. “Have you ever seen snow?" Its eyes lifted to the sky its head. There was a sadness to its gaze as if it’d become suddenly aware of a missing tooth. “Would you like to?"’